Discussion points:

  • Policy gaps that other participants recognize (and what project could feed information about these gaps)
  • People to invite to high-level consultation (and why to get insight in process)



Feedback from the group:


  • What are the gaps, why are they not outcomes on the ground:
  • Gaps
    • Free grazing (members were not aware of free grazing)
    • Policy is there but it is not implemented – and it was not cascading down
    • Understand how policy is developed and how we can influence – not necesssriry the ministers but advisors
  • B/n now and December how any research can influence that can support policy (as a starting point MoA, Ministry of energy, EIAR, ATA), special advisor to the prime minister and we could start the conversation

Policy support consultation:
  • Review docs on land/water policy to identify the gaps. E.g water use rights, land ownership – no policy governing/regulating these areas
  • Questions about implementation:
  • Policies exist but guidelines + means to implement/enforce don’t exist
  • Policies not cascading down to lower level administration especially at Kebele level
  • e.g. green book – directives not in place land use policies not implemented at Kebele level
  • Who implements? Who can modify. Do policy makers want policies to be influenced? Do we need to identify smarter ways to influence?
  • Need has to be demonstrated
  • Things aren't changing – policy has to be evaluated based on outcomes
  • Policy makers are aware of gaps but don’t like policies to be questioned – need assistance to implement or make policy successful – guidelines
  • Guidelines need to address practical issues of implementation
  • Europe incentives are offered e.g. tax incentives – need carrot and stick methods
  • Still issues about how best to communicate suggestions, reports, evidence to policy makers
  • Gender aspect to policies needs to be considered
  • Free grazing gap in existing policy could be used as example/case study of a tangible issue – how could this be addressed?
  • Need to target policy ‘technocrats’ e.g. special advisors who are able to influence policy makers
  • Stakeholder consultation needed – part of the process not after the fact

How and who to invite?
  • Need to identify key players approach ministries
  • Ato Sileshi – MoA
  • Ato Kebede Gebra – MoWE (Advisor to the State Minister of water)
  • Prof. Tekalign – advisor to MoA ATA
  • NRM standing committee of parlament
  • EDRI – Neway G/Ab
  • EPA – Ato Dessalegn
  • Donors: DFID, CIDA, USAID, GIZ, Farm Africa, WaterAid